Boxscore

Zach Duke actually pitched well for the Pirates (11-17) and his pitch count wasn’t even murderously high. But the rest of the team didn’t bring enough to beat the Nationals (12-17) and a struggling Austin Kearns.

Kearns drove in the go-ahead run in the 8th off of John Grabow (1-1), raising his batting average to .194 on the season. (Yes, I said raising.) Luis Ayala (1-1) got the win and Jon Rauch (S 6) got the save.

Pittsburgh’s offense was a no-show, though. The two runs were provided by solo-shots from Freddy Sanchez and Ryan Doumit. And only two runners were left on base. Although it didn’t lead to a victory, the players should rest comfortably knowing that somewhere, Dusty Baker is smiling.

Phil Dumatrait pitches for the Pirates tonight, hoping an offense shows up behind him because he’s likely to need it. He faces John Lannan at 7:35pm EDT.

Boxscore

Remember in the middle of April when Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman erupted at Cubs fans who threw more than a dozen balls onto the field for no reason? Lots of Cubs fans took his comments very personally, getting quite offended and protesting Marty’s characterization. Well, all except a few who didn’t get the memo about the need to clean up their image during yesterday’s game.

In the bottom of the sixth on a ball hit to Ryan Braun in left field, Cubs’ “fans” threw food and drinks in Braun’s direction while he was making a throw into the infield. Typical Wrigley Field drunks, I guess. You are a classless bunch with no respect for the game or players.

It only got better from there, as the Cubs (17-11) sent out “closer” Kerry Wood (2-1) to finish the game and get Carlos Zambrano the win. Unfortunately, Wood blew his third save in seven chances and let the Cubs lose their second series to the Brewers (16-12).

With Wood doing his best Eric Gagne (S 9) impression, you would think Gagne would try to one-up him, but no. Gagne finished the 9th without problems, getting the save and giving the win to Brian Shouse (2-0).

This blown win for the Cubs happened on Alfonso Soriano’s first game back from the DL. How’d he do? Like he has so far this season whenever he’s played: terrible. Soriano went 0-4, lowering his average to .164. Your Chicago Cubs leadoff hitter, ladies and gentlemen! (I realize it’s a small sample size, but Soriano’s timing is obviously off, so why not put him in a less important lineup slot while he works things out?)

The Cubs now leave home to travel to the Cardinals and the latest fight for first place, sending Rich Hill against Adam Wainwright at 8:15pm EDT. Will the Cubs figure out new and entertaining ways to choke? Or just use the same old ways?

The Brewers go to Houston where Carlos Villanueva will face Roy Oswalt at 8:05pm EDT.